House Bill 1120

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE KILLING OF, INJURY TO, OR THE
ADMINISTERING OF CERTAIN SUBSTANCES TO PUBLIC SERVICE ANIMALS; TO ENACT
PENALTIES THEREFOR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION
1. (1) It is unlawful for
any person to willfully and maliciously taunt, torment, tease, beat, strike, or
to administer, expose or inject any desensitizing drugs, chemicals or substance
to any public service animal. Any person
who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction
thereof shall be fined not more than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) and be
imprisoned not more than five (5) days, or both.

(2) Any person who, without just cause,
purposely kills or injures any public service animal is guilty of a felony and
upon conviction shall be fined not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00)
and be imprisoned not more than five (5) years, or both.

(3) For purposes of this section, the term
"public service animal" means any animal trained and used to assist a
law enforcement agency, public safety entity or search and rescue agency.

(4) Any person guilty of violating subsection
(2) of this section shall also be required to make restitution to the law
enforcement agency or owner aggrieved thereby.

(5) The provisions of this section shall not
apply to the lawful practice of veterinary medicine.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1,
2003.